Everton expose Arsenal flaws and fuel Liverpool’s title charge | OneFootball

Arsenal's mission was simple on paper: beat Everton at Goodison Park to avoid the gap with Premier League leaders Liverpool growing bigger. But what happened on the pitch was another disappointing chapter in the away woes of the Gunners. The 1–1 draw, which was part of Matchday 31, has Mikel Arteta's team at 62 points, 11 behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand. That deficit can grow, and the title is slipping further and further into the Reds' hands.

Trossard netted in the first half to break the deadlock, but Arsenal could not keep it up. One minute into the second half, Jack Harrison was penalized, and Iliman Ndiaye stepped up to score his ninth of the season. That was all she wrote. Despite late pressure, the visitors could not find a way past Everton's back line once more, and the hosts walked away with a precious point.

Once more, Arsenal let the win slip away

This was not a one-off result. Arsenal have now led and not won seven times this Premier League campaign — more than any other team. The pattern is growing, suffocating. And when it happens this often, the narrative gets imposed. The team takes leads, but is unable to hold on to them.

That complicates the standings even further. Despite sitting in second position, the deficit to Liverpool is significant. And the league leaders still have a game in hand.

Penalty flips the match shortly after halftime

The game turned around in the space of a minute after half-time. Jack Harrison was fouled in the area by Myles Lewis-Skelly. The penalty was confirmed by the referee after a long VAR review. Ndiaye stepped up and placed it coolly, sending keeper David Raya the wrong way. The goal was in front of a full and baying Gwladys Street, which helped sweep Everton through the second half.

That moment changed the whole picture. Arsenal, who had finished the first half ahead, were unbelievably level again before they had even restarted. Everton gained momentum from there.

Everton keeps the pressure on and gain another home draw

That was Everton's fourth home draw in a row. The last team to do that in the Premier League was Chelsea, back in February 2016. As it is, with the Toffees battling towards the bottom half of the table, every point at Goodison Park is crucial. Everton are 14th on 35 points now.

Manager David Moyes made three changes to the side that faced Liverpool less than 72 hours earlier. Ndiaye, Patterson, and Iroegbunam were in the lineup, with James Garner demoted to the bench and Mykolenko out injured.

It was Iroegbunam's first start since September 14. He had been out with a foot injury after a promising start to his spell at the club. But he was immediately back in the midst of it — two minutes in, he blocked a Sterling shot inside the area after Pickford slipped trying to play out from the back.

Everton had opportunities too. Ndiaye found Beto in the early stages with a pass between two defenders. Beto shielded the ball, played a good backheel to Doucouré, who hesitated for just a second too long before shooting and had the ball taken off his toes.